Enigmas Elspeth Wyllie

• Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934): Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma" (Version for Piano):
• 1 Theme 01:40
• 2 Var. 1, C.A.E. 02:12
• 3 Var. 2, H.D.S-P. 00:55
• 4 Var. 3, R.B.T. 01:19
• 5 Var. 4, W.M.B. 00:38
• 6 Var. 5, R.P.A. 02:07
• 7 Var. 6, Ysobel 01:41
• 8 Var. 7, Troyte 01:06
• 9 Var. 8, W.N. 01:49
• 10 Var. 9, Nimrod 03:38
• 11 Var. 10, Intermezzo. Dorabella 02:58
• 12 Var. 11, G.R.S. 01:06
• 13 Var. 12, B.G.N. 02:37
• 14 Var. 13, *** 03:11
• 15 Var. 14, Finale. E.D.U. 07:17
• Kenneth Leighton (1929 - 1988):
• 16 Elegy for Cello & Piano, Op. 5 09:37
• York Bowen (1884 - 1961): Sonata for Flute & Piano, Op. 120:
• 17 I. Allegro non troppo 08:09
• 18 II. Andante piacevola 04:18
• 19 III. Allegro con fuoco 04:13
• Nicholas Sackman (1950): Folio I:
• 20 I. Switchback 00:54
• 21 II. Jumping Jack 01:25
• 22 III. Pastorale 01:47
• 23 IV. Romanza 01:40
• 24 V. Chanson 02:12
• 25 VI. Rum Baba 01:12
• Edmund Rubbra (1901 - 1986): 2 Sonnets by William Alabaster:
• 26 No. 1, Upon the Crucifix 03:03
• 27 No. 2, On the Reed of Our Lord's Passion 03:54
• Total Runtime 01:16:38

Info for Enigmas

To coincide with Elgar’s 160th birthday on 2nd of June 2017, Divine Art is releasing a recital recording featuring Elgar’s own solo piano transcription of his much-loved Enigma Variations. Elgar originally extemporised and sketched out the work at the piano, and his transcription highlights the intimate nature of a work inspired by friends and acquaintances.

This is complemented by a varied collection of masterful works by British composers. Edmund Rubbra’s Two Sonnets by William Alabaster for trio are exquisite, and this is the first modern-day recording with a mezzo, as Rubbra intended. The recital also features the premiere recording of Nicholas Sackman’s Folio I for solo piano – a lively suite originally written for his family. Edwin York Bowen’s Sonata for flute and piano is perhaps familiar to flautists, and Kenneth Leighton’s Elegy to cellists; however both works deserve wider exposure as staples of post-romantic concert repertoire.

Elspeth Wyllie, piano
Catherine Backhouse, mezzo-soprano
Claire Overbury, flute
Alexa Beattie, viola
Hetti Price, cello

Elspeth Wyllie
works as an accompanist, chamber musician, and private teacher. She has performed throughout the UK and abroad in Spain, France and Switzerland. With the Orsino Ensemble, performances include Poulenc’s Sextet for piano and wind and Janacek’s Concertino. Elspeth has also worked for the BBC Symphony Chorus, the National Children’s Choir, and choir master Gareth Malone. She has recorded at Abbey Road, Air and Dean Street studios and for Novello publications.

Elspeth grew up in East Lothian and attended St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh. She read music at Oxford University and trained at the Royal Academy of Music. She was supported during her studies there by the Oldhurst Charitable Trust and won various prizes, including the Vivien Langrish Prize, Evelyn German Prize and J E Reckitt Award.

Booklet for Enigmas